Salty plum varieties explained

Salty plum varieties differ by fruit, region, salt level, sweetness and colour. Red salty plums are sweet-sour and firm; white ones are paler and tangier; li hing mui is powdery and tropical; hua mei is smoky and herbal; umeboshi is Japan's fierce, salt-fermented classic. Use this hub to find the style that suits you.

Purple plums piled in a bowl on a dark background

The main styles

Baskets of fresh plums and apricots at a market

Darwin red salty plums

Bright red, firm and sweet-sour. The style most Australians picture first.

Pale white plum blossoms on a spring branch

White salty plums

Little or no colour, lighter sugar, a clean salty-sour finish.

Fresh plums displayed in trays at a produce market

Seedless salty plums

Pitted before preserving: softer, easier to chop and blend.

Bowls of ground spices and powders on a dark table

Li hing mui

Hawaii's tangy preserved plum, plus the powder made from it.

Hua mei

A smoky, herbal Chinese preserved plum with serious depth.

Close-up of ripe purple plums with rich textured skin

Umeboshi

Japanese salt-fermented ume: bracing, wrinkly and unforgettable.

Guide in progress

Chinese preserved plum

The broad family behind salty, sweet and medicinal plum snacks. Full guide coming.

Guide in progress

Sweet preserved plum

Sugar-forward and gently salted — the easiest introduction. Full guide coming.

Guide in progress

Salty plum powder

Ground plum used on fruit, chips and cocktails. Full guide coming.

Compare

Which plum is which?

Style	Origin	Colour	Taste	Best for
Darwin red	Australian-Chinese	Dyed scarlet	Sweet-sour, salty	Snacking, drinks
White salty plum	Chinese	Pale buff	Tangy, fruity	Purists, cooking
Li hing mui	Hawaiian-Chinese	Pink-red, powdery	Tangy, sweet, saline	Fruit, cocktails
Hua mei	Chinese	Brown-black	Smoky, sour, herbal	Cooking, slow eating
Umeboshi	Japanese	Red-brown	Very sour, very salty	Rice, sauces

Comparison

Salty plum vs umeboshi

The Chinese and Japanese classics, head to head.

Comparison

Li hing mui vs salty plum

Close cousins with very different coatings. Guide coming soon.

Comparison

Hua mei vs salty plum

Smoky versus bright. Guide coming soon.

Trying to decide? Start with a variety, then taste your way through.

See the range